Expert Building Design in Barrenjoey

Barrenjoey, an iconic coastal area in the Northern Beaches, is celebrated for its breathtaking ocean views, historic lighthouse, and proximity to Palm Beach. With its elevated terrain, premium properties, and access to pristine beaches, it’s a prime location for luxury homes and holiday retreats that embrace the coastal lifestyle.

At DMR Designs, we provide expert drafting services, council approval assistance, and building design in Barrenjoey. Whether you’re planning a high-end coastal residence, a boutique renovation, or an extension to capture ocean views, our designs align with your vision and meet Northern Beaches Council requirements.

We proudly serve Barrenjoey with bespoke, site-sensitive designs tailored for coastal living, privacy, and seamless integration with the area’s dramatic landscape.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Barrenjoey?

  • Luxury Coastal Layouts: Maximize views, light, and indoor-outdoor flow

  • Custom Designs for Coastal Slopes: Respectful of terrain and vegetation

  • Future-Proof Homes: Built for today with adaptability for tomorrow

  • Full DA or CDC Management: We streamline every stage of approval

  • Energy-Efficient and Climate-Conscious: Optimized for coastal breezes and passive cooling

Our Barrenjoey building designs are elegant, practical, and crafted to enhance your lifestyle while embracing the suburb’s coastal allure.

Northern Beaches Council Requirements for Building in Barrenjoey

 

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily R2 Low Density Residential, with E4 Environmental Living zones near Barrenjoey Headland and bushland

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: Typically 6–9m

    • Side: 900mm–1.5m, depending on height and lot width

    • Rear: Varies, especially for lots near cliffs or reserves

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 600–1,500+ sqm, often with steep slopes or elevated positions

  • Key Constraints:

    • BAL-12.5 to BAL-40 for properties near bushland

    • Strict tree preservation—vegetation management plans required

    • Coastal erosion and geotechnical reports may be needed for cliffside lots

    • View-sharing and privacy screening critical for elevated designs

  • Utilities:

    • All standard services available—water, sewer, gas, power, and NBN

Building in Barrenjoey requires careful navigation of coastal overlays, bushfire regulations, and environmental planning policies.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Northern Beaches Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Barrenjoey Project?

Most Barrenjoey projects require a DA due to coastal and environmental complexities, though minor upgrades may qualify for CDC. Whether it’s a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), we’ll guide you through the process from start to finish.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference:

DA (Development Application):

  • Ideal for luxury coastal builds, cliffside properties, or site-sensitive designs

  • We manage all consultants, reports, and council communication

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for straightforward renovations or compliant extensions

  • We’ll assess your site and recommend the fastest approval route

Need help figuring out which route suits your site? We’ll assess your block and walk you through your options.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Barrenjoey

  • Yes. We design homes to capture stunning ocean and headland views while ensuring compliance with council view-sharing policies, a top priority in this coastal area.

  • We design luxury coastal homes, renovations, extensions, and multi-generational layouts with precision and purpose—ready for construction and council approval.

    From start to finish, our Barrenjoey building design services deliver lifestyle, compliance, and lasting value.

  • Yes. On-site detention and stormwater plans are often mandatory. Our team will ensure all drainage designs comply with council requirements.

  • Not at all! While we love working in spots like Avalon, Narrabeen, and Dee Why, we also take on projects across the North Shore, Ku-ring-gai, and even further out. We’re open to select builds up to 4 hours from the Northern Beaches Council area.

  • Cost depends on the scope of your project. We’ll walk you through pricing during your discovery call so you know exactly what to expect.

Ready to take the next step?

From custom home designs to council-ready plans, we’re here to guide your project every step of the way. Let’s bring your vision to life — reach out today.

Our Building Design Services in Barrenjoey

We design luxury coastal homes, renovations, extensions, and multi-generational layouts with precision and purpose—ready for construction and council approval.

From start to finish, our Barrenjoey building design services deliver lifestyle, compliance, and lasting value.

What to Expect: Our Building Design Timeline

A step-by-step look at how we take your project from concept to council approval and beyond.

Every project starts with a discovery call and ends with council-approved, build-ready plans.

Here’s how we make it easy from start to finish:

Step 1 - Discovery Call

  • Let’s chat! We’ll have a quick call to understand your project and see how we can help.

Step 2 -Site Visit & Consultation (5–7 days)

  • We’ll meet at your site (or virtually), take a closer look, and discuss your vision in detail.

Step 3 - Fee Proposal (2 days)

  • You’ll get a clear, no-surprises proposal with the scope, timeline, and costs.

Step 4 - Concept Design (4 weeks)

  • We’ll create initial design ideas and layouts tailored just for you.

Step 5 - Design Development & Expert Coordination (2 weeks)

  • We’ll fine-tune the design and collaborate with any needed specialists (engineer, energy consultant, town planner, geo tech engineer, bushfire, heritage consultant, etc).

Step 6 - Final Adjustments (1 week)

  • We’ll polish everything and prepare the final drawings for submission.

Step 7 - Submission for Approval

  • We handle the council or certifier submission, so you’re ready for the next steps.

Want the full breakdown?

View our detailed process here.

From Plans to Reality: See How It All Comes Together

Explore our work in coastal, view-focused suburbs—designed to maximize light, space, and natural beauty.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our Barrenjoey building designs are crafted for modern coastal living and timeless elegance.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Barrenjoey?

We’re here to help you take the next step! whetheR It’s

a new chapter or a fresh upgrade

We’d love to hear what you have in mind. Book a discovery call or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch within 48 hours.

Not based in Barrenjoey?

DMR Designs proudly serves the entire Northern Beaches—from Palm Beach and Avalon to Dee Why and Manly. Wherever you're building, we bring the same precision, creativity, and local know-how to every design.